My 5 got beaten up

[Fatty]

james at the mx5centre has headlights in stock, i'm pretty sure (i seem to recall seeing lots of full headlight assemblies on the shelf when i was there). his pricing is very sharp too. he may have the other bits you need as well.

anyway, i need to correct you on a couple of things. you said \"these things just happen\" and \"i spose it was my fault\" or words to that affect.

this is NOT TRUE. the damage to your car is 100% the other guys fault. you may have made an error but it did not result in any damage. the malicious damage to your car is a TOTALLY SEPERATE incident and in no way can this sort of behaviour be justified.

[Hammer]

So CheyneX5, were the policed called when this incident happend? Irrespective if you cut him off or not, he's action was criminal - called malicious damage - and he can be criminally charge for that.

[drifter]

Wow, that sux. I guess you have to be careful with the five when changing lanes to your left because of the blind spot that would be called the C-pillar in sedans.

Just last month I saw the aftermath of a Subaru that ran straight into a telegraph pole. Total write off with injured driver. I found out later that the accident occurred because another driver changed lanes on top of the Subaru and forced him off the road, then drove off. I've been almost run over and forced off the road way too many times as well. I now drive with the headlight on during the day. Although there is no excuse for what the other driver did I can understand how he feels.

I have also been on the receiving end of road rage. I overtook a car on a 2 lane section of road that was going well below the speed limit and for some reason the guy went ballistic. He followed me for 5 minutes, driving like a Psycho. I just kept my cool and drove straight to the police station down the road. When I got out and tried to take a picture of him + car he drove off. Morons like that don't bother me but it scared my woman in the passenger seat.

How did the guy manage to get to your car and kick it? Were you stuck at a traffic light?

Like others have stated, I’m very surprise that the insurance company doesn’t cover it even if it’s in another person’s name and you don’t have the details of the other driver. Regardless, it seems you are footing the bill yourself. You are lucky the five is cheap to repair with readily available parts.

Maybe it’s an excuse to get some new aftermarket headlights and carbon fiber fenders?

[CheyneX5]

i really appreciate all of your help guys, good to know that there are some genuine people out there.

in regards to your comment drifter, i was in the middle of a round about and i stopped to see if the guy was ok coz he went up on the gutter, he was really pissed and before i could get out to talk with him....BAM!! i couldnt drive off because he was at the front of my car and i guess i kind of froze with shock.

with the insurance, i'm a p plater so even if they were to approve it the excess would be alot greater than what i would need to pay for the repairs.

in the end i dont mind paying it, it needed to have an experience like that to save my self from getting too cocky on the road which i can be sometimes

this mx5 center... has it recently opened? it sounds great.

anyone care to share some similar experiences? make me feel a little better

[meanmx]

Hey Cheyne, as others have said sorry to hear about this and it is not your fault at all. As others have said try mx5centre for the spare parts as well. The biggest problem you are going to have though is the paint. It is easy enough to get a red panel but I think I remember you telling me that your car is not the standard red anymore. All up I think the panel will cost you about $100 second hand and if it is the drivers mirror then you can have mine for nothing. I have no idea of the damage on your headlights so can't really comment but I think I have seen whole assemblies for around $150??. If you can paint it yourself you will save a crap load of money if not then you can probably add another $400 for paint. Hope this helps

Ben

[bensale]

this mx5 center... has it recently opened? it sounds great.

It only opened up a few weeks ago. I went and checked it out with 'Fatty' and its probebly perfect for what you need. Enjoy the drive out there tomorrow.

Ben,

[CheyneX5]

ben you do not know how happy i am to hear that, i think my mirror should be fine as it is only the little black joint that is stuffed and dick will fix me up with that for 30 bux, but the side panel i think may need replacing. i can go get some pics if you like but i have no idea of how to post them as viewable

[bensale]

I use a hosting site when I post pictures.

I use either this which is pretty easy to use and to resize. http://www.picoodle.com/

Or this, but its slightly more effort. http://www.webshots.com/

And them you just insert the code.

[CheyneX5]

in this one you can see where the side mirror was knocked off and the large dent in the fender


here is the damage to the lights, they can be lifted higher than norman and have been shifted back and warped slightly so closing the bonnet requires lights to be up

[marcusus]

Sorry to hear mate. Seriously, if this many of us have said approach the police and really push the issue, I think you should. I definitely would do it. Especially since you have the registration number and all. Of course, the guy might deny everything, but the least you can do is try right? If you don't at least try it, it'll be a wasted opportunity, not to mention money down the drain that rightfully shouldn't have to be wasted.

[sliq]

i'll tell you what you should do?

get a police statement done. (at the cop shop)

find his particulars. (from the Police)

get your car fixed. (make sure you have the receipt)

lodge a statement of claim in the small claims division in the local court. pay someone to serve the defendant with the statement of claim.

if he doesn't respond to the s.o.c. in 28 days, file for default judgment.

then the court will send the sherriff round to his house and recoup things that are worth the value of the damage caused to your car.

[lil_mike]

your insurance company should cover it. get them to point out where in your policy it states that vandalism is not covered? if they cant do that then they will have to pay i'd say. make sure you read through your policy carefully and keep at them.

if that fails, do what sliq said.

[marcusus]

your insurance company should cover it. get them to point out where in your policy it states that vandalism is not covered? if they cant do that then they will have to pay i'd say. make sure you read through your policy carefully and keep at them.

if that fails, do what sliq said.

The thing is, if he gets insurance to cover it, won't he still have to pay the excess? Or will it be considered a not at fault claim if they can find the person who's at fault?

[CheyneX5]

i still have to pay the excess, we have already tried everything you guys have said and they wont budge.

[-alex]

thats not cool..
hope everything works out for you, without too much expense